{"product_id":"corpus-of-early-arabic-sources-for-west-african-history-9781558762411","title":"Corpus of Early Arabic Sources for West African History","description":"\u003ch2\u003eComprehensive Collection of Medieval Arabic Sources on West African History\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis scholarly compilation presents 372 pages of translated Arabic writings documenting West African history from the eighth through fifteenth centuries. Edited by Nehemia Levtzion and J.F.P. Hopkins, this work provides researchers and students with direct access to primary source materials that form the foundation of medieval West African historical studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eEssential Primary Source Documentation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the eighth century onwards, Muslim scholars and travelers from North Africa documented their knowledge of the lands fifty stages south across the Sahara. These Arabic sources recorded observations about the black populations of the western and central Sudan, noting the region as a source of gold, ivory, and slaves. The writings capture the gradual spread of Islam across the Sahara, evidenced by the presence of black students and pilgrims traveling northward alongside the established caravan routes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat This Volume Contains\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis paperback edition compiles the complete sum of Islamic scholarly writings about West Africa spanning six centuries. Each translated passage includes detailed annotations necessary for proper historical evaluation. The volume features comprehensive indexes and glossaries designed to facilitate comparative research and cross-referencing across different Arabic sources and time periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAcademic Value and Research Applications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eArabic writings represent the main documentary sources for medieval West African history. This collection fills a critical gap for researchers studying trans-Saharan trade networks, the spread of Islamic civilization into sub-Saharan Africa, and the economic relationships between North Africa and the Sudan region. The clear English translations make these previously inaccessible sources available to scholars without Arabic language proficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished by Markus Wiener Publishers, this volume serves as an indispensable reference for African Studies programs, Islamic Studies departments, and medieval history research. The work has been recognized by the Times Literary Supplement for its meticulous scholarship and execution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical Context and Significance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese sources document a period when trans-Saharan trade routes connected Mediterranean Islamic civilization with West African kingdoms. The writings reveal how Muslim townsfolk gained knowledge of sub-Saharan Africa not through rumor or occasional expeditions, as in Herodotus's time, but through sustained contact via labor, military service, and domestic relationships. The presence of black slaves, servants, and concubines in North African Muslim societies provided direct cultural connections that preceded and accompanied the formal spread of Islam southward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection represents decades of scholarly work in identifying, translating, and annotating the most significant Arabic sources for West African history, making it an essential addition to academic libraries and research collections focused on African history, medieval studies, or Islamic civilization.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Markus Wiener Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50681149718802,"sku":"9781558762411","price":45.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_50bdd6ef-10ac-4704-b645-c143ab581c66.jpg?v=1733949810","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/corpus-of-early-arabic-sources-for-west-african-history-9781558762411","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}